Day 6 – Farewell to Jolivert…For Now

By Adam Sarbin March 6th, 2015

Last night we were interrupted intermittently and throughout, starting at 10 PM, by all manner of wildlife…dogs, then goats, then Charlie, then a burro and let’s not forget the roosters. By 5 AM all these random sounds coalesced into the usual cacophony that we have “lovingly” come to know as our Haitian wake-up call…and since we knew we had an early start in clinic, we rolled out for an early breakfast.

Then it was all hands down the hill for an early clinic and we saw nearly 60 patients in the 2 hours we had before our departure. Today I even got Chelsea seeing patients and she knocked it out of the park. Unfortunately, we left a few loose ends for Dr. Daniel as well as a full waiting area. We did however see a 2 month old in follow-up who had recently lost her mother and had not been feeding. I am happy to report she was taking formula for her aunt and had gained weight in the past 2 days – success! Bravo Carey, Sarah and Melila! Another small life saved and SO cute!!!

We all trekked up the hill for the last time this trip and said our farewells to our translators, Dr. Asa and his wife Jean, and I think most difficult of all our friends Christophe and Blaud. I have said it again and again, these experiences have introduced me to some of the finest people I have ever met and I can say with certainty, these men are among the finest.

We managed to exit the gate and then settled in for the long ride to Gonaives on the rocky road, which lucky for us, took a mere 2 and a half hours in reverse. We made a short stop at our hotel in Gonaives for a potty stop, for those with bursting bladders, then back on the smooth road for our final destination of the evening, Mission of Grace in the community of Carries just over an hour from Port au Prince‎.

I don’t mind telling you, I feel a bit ashamed of our lodgings, as for the first time ever for us, we are staying at an Oceanside hotel. I am getting over my guilt with the knowledge that the owner of this hotel happens to be a Haitian woman named Ms. Lynne, who‎ also happens to be the founder of the mission…and all proceeds from the hotel serve this mission. It is a remarkable thing that someone with means is willing to invest in her country to the extent that Ms. Lynne does. She has a wonderful partner in Ms. Kim who gave us the grand tour of this magnificent operation – school, medical clinic, future trade school/home for young men, orphanage, large recreation areas, not to mention solar power and clean water sources…WOW!! Once again our experiences are revealing the best of the best in this world.

We are now settling down for a fine meal at sunset and plan to discuss possible future plans with our new hosts later this evening. Just another step towards finding our true identity in this country we have come to love.

Will have more to share tomorrow. Must run now.

Love to All,

The Team